Blog

By Bryon Howard, March 3, 2014

One of the great things about living in Calgary is the diversity of communities (life styles) all within 50 kilometers of downtown. You can live in an urban village penthouse with a million dollar view of the city’s spectacular and every changing skyline. Or you can choose an acreage with a million dollar view of the Rockies in your own park-like setting. You can live near one of the 100+ off-lease City dog parks or you can have few acres of open pasture for your horses.

Since moving to Calgary from the East Coast in 2003 I have come to appreciate the quality of life this city offers. While I live in Altadore and love it, I could easily live in Springbank, Bearspaw or Bragg Creek. Coming from a small town, I love how Calgary is divided up into small communities of about 5,000 people. Even outside the city, the acreages are divided up into communities each with their own name to give the people living there a common sense of identity.

Not everyone works downtown, in fact most people don’t – only about 25% of Calgarians work in or near downtown. Many of the new jobs being created today are at the edges of the city in new business parks and so it is perhaps not surprising that Calgary’s edge cities are growing faster than the city itself – Okotoks, Airdrie and Cochrane especially.

In addition, many business owners and senior managers don’t have to go to the office everyday. Working from home one or more days a week is becoming more and more common. One of the new trends I am seeing in acreage home design is the CEO-like office. No longer is a home office just a desk plunked into a bedroom or maybe a shelf for the computer just off the kitchen. We are talking a custom designed office with space to host small meetings, all the electronics you could dream of, and yes separate bathroom and small kitchen; this adds a whole new dimension to “walking to work.”

What has really impressed me is the amazing diversity of the acreage architecture just outside of Calgary. As an avid touring cyclist, I love to go for rides in the foothills west of Calgary where I am always impressed by the new architectural gems I find.

While there are lots of traditional prairie ranch houses, what I really enjoy is the unique uber contemporary designs that you would expect to see outside Las Angeles or San Francisco. Homes with weird angles and shapes, some with strange colours that look more like a modern art gallery than a home. I love the sense of surprise these homes offer.

Over the past few years, I have worked with many acreage owners and buyers in the Springbank area. Here are the top ten reasons I have heard for wanting to live in the Springbank:

1. Quality of living, especially the sense of privacy
2. Incredible views
3. Park-like setting with lots of trees, maybe a creek or pond
4. Beautiful cycling and running trails right out your front door
5. Easy access to city amenities
6. Access to good schools
7. Springbank Park For All Seasons (arena, curling, playing fields etc)
8. Good recreation programs
9. Access to best golf courses
10. Great snow removal

Unlike most North American cities, acreage living in Calgary is not just for retired empty nesters or weekend/summer homes for the rich and famous. Acreage living is a viable option for families with children of all ages. It is just another reason why Calgary is such an attractive place to live, work and play.

Pics below are one of my Springbank Listings at 43 Westbluff Place.  MLS #C3598194  http://tinyurl.com/l3ofznk

Great temporary home on 2 acres just a couple kilometers from the city limits.